Instagram has been testing the addition of Reels lyrics in select regions over recent months, expanding its feature set beyond the existing lyrics option in Stories, which was introduced in 2019.

This move is part of Instagram’s broader strategy to cater to music-related trends in user behavior. The platform has been progressively incorporating music-related capabilities, such as the ability to include songs in static images and carousel posts, song recommendations for Reels content, music integration in Notes, music sharing via Direct Messages, the “Dancify” feature for Reels, and more.

Instagram’s efforts in this direction are notably influenced by its pursuit of emulating TikTok’s success. TikTok has become a vital platform for music promotion, influencing artists and record labels to adapt their music creation strategies for optimal success. A song’s popularity on TikTok can significantly impact an artist’s career trajectory. As users increasingly turn to social media for entertainment rather than just interaction, TikTok has become a pivotal channel for musicians to showcase their work.

In this context, Instagram aims to provide a similar avenue for musicians, partially as a contingency plan in case TikTok faces a ban in the United States, allowing Instagram to seamlessly replace its functionality. Additionally, it’s a way for Instagram to stay aligned with the latest trends, an area where TikTok excels.

Meta (formerly Facebook) may have lost some of its initial appeal, but by replicating successful features like these, it effectively outsources its development efforts, ensuring it remains relevant and valuable without needing to possess its own deep cultural insight.

While the introduction of lyrics in Reels might be a smaller component within this broader strategy, it’s yet another means for Instagram to tap into these evolving user behaviors and preferences.